Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Status: National drinking water standard exists
Dry cleaning chemical tetrachloroethylene, or perc, can cause cancer. It pollutes soil and groundwater due to emissions from dry cleaning facilities, and automotive, metalworking and other industries. Read More.
The EPA considers tetrachloroethylene a likely human carcinogen. It has been linked with increased incidence of lung, breast and colon cancers. Tetrachloroethylene also damages the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. The California public health goal of 0.06 parts per billion, set to protect against cancer, is 80 times lower than the amount allowed by the federal government, which is a Maximum Contaminant Level of 5 parts per billion.
2017-2019:
49
states detected
652
utilities detected
19 million
people served
47
states over health guideline
554
utilities over health guideline
12 million
people served over health guideline
2
states over legal limit
4
utilities over legal limit
19,297
people served over legal limit
Health concerns for tetrachloroethylene
Lung cancer
Breast cancer
Colon cancer
Harm to the kidney
Harm to the liver
Harm to the central nervous system
State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines
EWG Health Guideline 0.06 ppb
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for tetrachloroethylene was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL) 5 ppb
The legal limit for tetrachloroethylene, established in 1991, was based on analytical detection limits at the time that the standard was set. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to tetrachloroethylene exposure.
ppb = parts per billion
States reporting tetrachloroethylene in drinking water
| UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Utilities | People Served | Utilities | People Served | |||
| California | 102 | 4,873,963 | 120 | 6,413,139 | |||
| New York | 29 | 669,351 | 47 | 2,178,064 | |||
| Texas | 2 | 5,735 | 7 | 2,026,285 | |||
| Pennsylvania | 52 | 1,340,117 | 57 | 1,402,362 | |||
| Arizona | 11 | 235,041 | 17 | 1,029,892 | |||
| Florida | 16 | 516,272 | 29 | 848,949 | |||
| Massachusetts | 38 | 562,538 | 44 | 685,325 | |||
| New Jersey | 8 | 106,519 | 19 | 617,228 | |||
| Wisconsin | 35 | 554,938 | 36 | 528,745 | |||
| Iowa | 40 | 513,327 | 28 | 507,567 | |||
| Nevada | 5 | 342,186 | 5 | 342,186 | |||
| Delaware | 2 | 6,918 | 5 | 313,391 | |||
| Idaho | 7 | 247,803 | 8 | 304,069 | |||
| Illinois | 10 | 237,008 | 14 | 297,398 | |||
| Indiana | 4 | 115,416 | 7 | 237,606 | |||
| Alabama | 4 | 50,676 | 7 | 158,487 | |||
| Tennessee | 3 | 135,642 | 6 | 153,598 | |||
| Minnesota | 6 | 137,203 | 7 | 138,987 | |||
| Ohio | 16 | 90,332 | 17 | 116,951 | |||
| Colorado | 7 | 48,602 | 8 | 112,410 | |||
| New Mexico | 3 | 96,973 | 3 | 96,973 | |||
| Connecticut | 6 | 84,068 | 6 | 84,068 | |||
| Oregon | 10 | 68,010 | 10 | 68,010 | |||
| Missouri | 17 | 64,456 | 17 | 64,456 | |||
| Utah | 5 | 61,276 | 5 | 61,276 | |||
| Hawaii | 3 | 58,797 | 3 | 58,797 | |||
| Kansas | 10 | 47,843 | 11 | 53,160 | |||
| Georgia | 9 | 47,873 | 9 | 47,873 | |||
| Kentucky | 7 | 45,469 | 7 | 45,469 | |||
| Maryland | 6 | 43,890 | 6 | 43,890 | |||
| New Hampshire | 8 | 36,826 | 8 | 36,826 | |||
| Montana | 0 | 0 | 2 | 35,250 | |||
| North Carolina | 19 | 30,725 | 20 | 31,312 | |||
| Nebraska | 5 | 30,379 | 5 | 30,379 | |||
| Oklahoma | 5 | 27,710 | 5 | 27,710 | |||
| West Virginia | 8 | 26,090 | 8 | 26,090 | |||
| Washington | 7 | 25,741 | 7 | 25,741 | |||
| Louisiana | 3 | 23,754 | 3 | 23,754 | |||
| Arkansas | 5 | 21,148 | 5 | 21,148 | |||
| Virginia | 6 | 19,915 | 6 | 19,915 | |||
| South Dakota | 1 | 13,646 | 1 | 13,646 | |||
| Mississippi | 1 | 12,513 | 1 | 12,513 | |||
| Michigan | 4 | 9,260 | 4 | 9,260 | |||
| Alaska | 1 | 41 | 2 | 8,416 | |||
| North Dakota | 2 | 7,931 | 2 | 7,931 | |||
| South Carolina | 3 | 3,780 | 3 | 3,780 | |||
| Vermont | 1 | 985 | 1 | 985 | |||
| Rhode Island | 0 | 0 | 2 | 429 | |||
| Wyoming | 2 | 319 | 2 | 319 | |||
Filtering technologies that reduce tetrachloroethylene
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Utilities with the highest amounts of tetrachloroethylene, 2017-2019
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Of Industry Waterworks Systems* | La Puente, CA | 96 of 97 | 8.85 ppb | 7,000 |
| Caribou Mobile Park Public Water System | San Jose, CA | 5 of 5 | 7.44 ppb | 180 |
| Lukins Brothers Water Company | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 5 of 9 | 6.16 ppb | 250 |
| Yarmouth Water Department* | West Yarmouth, MA | 3 of 3 | 5.67 ppb | 39,635 |
| West Lebanon Township Water Supply | Lebanon, PA | 15 of 42 | 5.18 ppb | 780 |
| Paden City, City Of | Paden City, WV | 27 of 32 | 4.87 ppb | 2,985 |
| Cdcr-high Desert State Prison | Susanville, CA | 102 of 135 | 4.83 ppb | 9,132 |
| Paw Homesite | Scranton, PA | 40 of 40 | 4.78 ppb | 63 |
| Tahoe Keys Water Company | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 90 of 255 | 4.35 ppb | 1,200 |
| San Juan Vista | Walnut Creek, CA | 5 of 5 | 4.20 ppb | 100 |
| Lynwood Park Mutual Water Company | Compton, CA | 107 of 108 | 3.93 ppb | 2,300 |
| Amarillo Mutual Water Company | Rosemead, CA | 52 of 52 | 3.58 ppb | 3,134 |
| Commerce-city, Water Department | San Jose, CA | 105 of 314 | 3.53 ppb | 3,828 |
| Newport Water Works | Newport, NH | 7 of 14 | 3.46 ppb | 5,000 |
| Miamisburg City PWS | Miamisburg, OH | 4 of 8 | 3.39 ppb | 20,000 |
| Bellaire Public Water System | Bellaire, OH | 43 of 72 | 3.23 ppb | 4,278 |
| Higuera Apartments | San Luis Obispo, CA | 1 of 1 | 2.70 ppb | 30 |
| Sibley | Sibley, IL | 1 of 2 | 2.59 ppb | 272 |
| Sioux Rapids Water Department | Storm Lake, IA | 24 of 25 | 2.58 ppb | 775 |
| New Holland Borough | New Holland, PA | 7 of 21 | 2.53 ppb | 5,500 |
| Lynwood Water Department | Lynwood, CA | 99 of 120 | 2.38 ppb | 71,297 |
| Lakeside Mobile Home Park | Royersford, PA | 18 of 18 | 2.32 ppb | 48 |
| Holmen Waterworks | Holmen, WI | 24 of 33 | 2.19 ppb | 9,000 |
| City of South Pasadena | South Pasadena, CA | 211 of 214 | 2.17 ppb | 25,899 |
| Pine Grove Water District (wasco) | Maupin, OR | 1 of 3 | 2.17 ppb | 140 |
| Bgwc Cameron Acres | Greenville, SC | 23 of 24 | 2.11 ppb | 70 |
| City of Ceres | Ceres, CA | 33 of 58 | 2.11 ppb | 42,666 |
| South Pretty Pond Mobile Home Park | Zephyrhills, FL | 6 of 7 | 2.07 ppb | 80 |
| Topaz Lake Water Company Inc. | Gardnerville, NV | 18 of 21 | 1.99 ppb | 40 |
| City of Upland* | Upland, CA | 15 of 34 | 1.96 ppb | 78,791 |
| Graves Co. Water District - Consumers | Mayfield, KY | 5 of 6 | 1.88 ppb | 4,689 |
| Mayfield Electric & Water* | Mayfield, KY | 5 of 6 | 1.88 ppb | 10,024 |
| Graves Co. Water District - Hardeman | Mayfield, KY | 5 of 6 | 1.88 ppb | 1,129 |
| Wright-Patterson AFB Area A PWS | Wright Patterson Afb, OH | 49 of 199 | 1.86 ppb | 16,551 |
| Quarryville Borough | Quarryville, PA | 14 of 25 | 1.86 ppb | 3,150 |
| Midvale City Water System | Midvale, UT | 40 of 65 | 1.85 ppb | 33,000 |
| Mobile Village Inc. | Battle Ground, OR | 5 of 6 | 1.79 ppb | 100 |
| Security Mobile Home Park | Colorado Springs, CO | 23 of 25 | 1.74 ppb | 150 |
| Tract 180 Mutual Water Company | Cudahy, CA | 47 of 47 | 1.72 ppb | 14,000 |
| Milford City Public Water System | Milford, OH | 12 of 57 | 1.72 ppb | 6,400 |
| Gosnold Water Department | Gosnold, MA | 19 of 28 | 1.70 ppb | 425 |
| West Grove Borough* | West Grove, PA | 5 of 8 | 1.64 ppb | 2,873 |
| Aqua Pa Whitehaven Evanwood | White Haven, PA | 6 of 6 | 1.62 ppb | 60 |
| South Orange Water Department | South Orange, NJ | 44 of 163 | 1.61 ppb | 16,964 |
| Pulaski County Public Water Supply District 2 | Waynesville, MO | 24 of 33 | 1.61 ppb | 7,840 |
| El Monte Water Department | El Monte, CA | 255 of 587 | 1.57 ppb | 22,968 |
| Fairview, City of | Fairview, OR | 8 of 10 | 1.55 ppb | 9,176 |
| Oconto Waterworks | Oconto, WI | 5 of 16 | 1.52 ppb | 4,740 |
| Washington Pike Psd | Wellsburg, WV | 10 of 14 | 1.51 ppb | 3,571 |
| Wellsburg, City Of* | Wellsburg, WV | 10 of 14 | 1.51 ppb | 3,468 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.
| Utility | Location | Tests | Average level | People served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yarmouth Water Department* | West Yarmouth, MA | 3 of 3 | 5.67 ppb | 39,635 |
| Miamisburg City PWS | Miamisburg, OH | 4 of 8 | 3.39 ppb | 20,000 |
| Lynwood Water Department | Lynwood, CA | 99 of 120 | 2.38 ppb | 71,297 |
| City of South Pasadena | South Pasadena, CA | 211 of 214 | 2.17 ppb | 25,899 |
| City of Ceres | Ceres, CA | 33 of 58 | 2.11 ppb | 42,666 |
| City of Upland* | Upland, CA | 15 of 34 | 1.96 ppb | 78,791 |
| Mayfield Electric & Water* | Mayfield, KY | 5 of 6 | 1.88 ppb | 10,024 |
| Wright-Patterson AFB Area A PWS | Wright Patterson Afb, OH | 49 of 199 | 1.86 ppb | 16,551 |
| Midvale City Water System | Midvale, UT | 40 of 65 | 1.85 ppb | 33,000 |
| Tract 180 Mutual Water Company | Cudahy, CA | 47 of 47 | 1.72 ppb | 14,000 |
| South Orange Water Department | South Orange, NJ | 44 of 163 | 1.61 ppb | 16,964 |
| El Monte Water Department | El Monte, CA | 255 of 587 | 1.57 ppb | 22,968 |
| Medfield Water Department | Medfield, MA | 54 of 119 | 1.46 ppb | 12,595 |
| Sylacauga Utilities Board | Sylacauga, AL | 22 of 37 | 1.32 ppb | 24,087 |
| Carmichael Water District | Carmichael, CA | 56 of 88 | 1.29 ppb | 40,000 |
| San Gabriel County WD* | Rosemead, CA | 115 of 131 | 1.24 ppb | 45,000 |
| Whittier Water Department* | Whittier, CA | 317 of 581 | 1.20 ppb | 49,954 |
| City of Turlock* | Turlock, CA | 23 of 61 | 1.19 ppb | 64,215 |
| City of Porterville | Porterville, CA | 105 of 195 | 1.18 ppb | 55,107 |
| Emmaus Borough Public Water* | Emmaus, PA | 20 of 107 | 1.16 ppb | 14,000 |
| City of Chubbuck | Chubbuck, ID | 32 of 43 | 1.08 ppb | 14,125 |
| East Pasadena Water Company | Pasadena, CA | 260 of 706 | 1.07 ppb | 10,978 |
| Pico WD | Pico Rivera, CA | 24 of 45 | 1.07 ppb | 24,100 |
| South Gate Water Department | South Gate, CA | 223 of 253 | 1.06 ppb | 96,057 |
| Norwalk Water Department | Norwalk, CA | 37 of 67 | 0.998 ppb | 18,372 |
| Brookwood Comm. Water System | Hampstead, NC | 28 of 78 | 0.991 ppb | 15,665 |
| Forrest City Waterworks* | Forrest City, AR | 24 of 58 | 0.952 ppb | 15,425 |
| California American Water Company - Lincoln Oaks | Sacramento, CA | 151 of 331 | 0.943 ppb | 46,606 |
| Sun Prairie Utilities | Sun Prairie, WI | 35 of 48 | 0.906 ppb | 32,613 |
| Jones County* | Gray, GA | 10 of 17 | 0.867 ppb | 11,130 |
| North Salt Lake City Water System | North Salt Lake, UT | 36 of 52 | 0.867 ppb | 16,301 |
| Del City | Del City, OK | 24 of 43 | 0.858 ppb | 22,128 |
| City of Oakdale | Oakdale, CA | 5 of 23 | 0.848 ppb | 19,250 |
| Madison Water Utility* | Madison, WI | 137 of 215 | 0.835 ppb | 235,000 |
| Pomona Water Department | Pomona, CA | 548 of 1,408 | 0.835 ppb | 151,713 |
| Waterloo Water Works* | Waterloo, IA | 7 of 17 | 0.806 ppb | 70,070 |
| East Orange Water Commission* | East Orange, NJ | 266 of 365 | 0.805 ppb | 75,000 |
| CTWC - Unionville System* | Clinton, CT | 25 of 58 | 0.690 ppb | 14,693 |
| City of Reedley | Reedley, CA | 3 of 9 | 0.653 ppb | 24,842 |
| Logansport Municipal Utility-Well Field | Logansport, IN | 4 of 6 | 0.650 ppb | 18,369 |
| Valley Water Systems, Inc. | Plainville, CT | 8 of 56 | 0.650 ppb | 18,231 |
| Woods Cross City Water System | Woods Cross, UT | 26 of 64 | 0.628 ppb | 11,300 |
| Grafton Waterworks | Grafton, WI | 58 of 149 | 0.624 ppb | 11,745 |
| Garfield Water Department | Garfield, NJ | 36 of 83 | 0.608 ppb | 30,487 |
| Whitman Water System* | Whitman, MA | 7 of 10 | 0.600 ppb | 14,574 |
| South Elgin | South Elgin, IL | 17 of 39 | 0.574 ppb | 22,549 |
| City of McPherson* | Mcpherson, KS | 5 of 9 | 0.564 ppb | 13,077 |
| Peabody Water Department (MWRA) | Peabody, MA | 2 of 18 | 0.561 ppb | 52,474 |
| North Park PWD* | Machesney Park, IL | 29 of 46 | 0.561 ppb | 35,518 |
| San Fernando Water Department | San Fernando, CA | 26 of 35 | 0.557 ppb | 23,839 |
* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.